as in bribe
something given or promised in order to improperly influence a person's conduct or decision
the customs official let us know that he might be prepared to look the other way if an appropriate backhander was slipped into his palm
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backhander
Sennecke gave a hard forehand fake that opened an easy backhand goal, and McTavish’s patented hesitation move opened up a backhander of his own.
—
Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
In the extra period, Holmstrom circled into the slot and fired a backhander that beat Gustavsson to give the Islanders the win.
—CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
The Avs had the lead by then, courtesy of a Sam Girard backhander.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Sprung on a breakaway, Boldly’s crafty backhander slipped past the Edmonton goalie on the glove side less than five minutes into the game.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhander
Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
In the extra period, Holmstrom circled into the slot and fired a backhander that beat Gustavsson to give the Islanders the win.
—CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
The Avs had the lead by then, courtesy of a Sam Girard backhander.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Sprung on a breakaway, Boldly’s crafty backhander slipped past the Edmonton goalie on the glove side less than five minutes into the game.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backhander
bribe
Noun
-
In 2012, the former governor, Mario Villanueva, pleaded guilty in a US federal court to laundering millions of dollars in narco-bribes.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
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Okoronkwo received the payment in a certain trust account to try to create the false impression that the bribe payment was made up of client funds.—
Ryanne Mena,
Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backhander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhander. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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